John Claypool

John and Maryn met at Penn State and were married in 1958. They grew their family with three children, John Jr., Laurie ,and Linda (Galow). Their family expanded to include John’s wife, Patti; Linda’s husband, Brian; and John Jr.’s daughter, Grace.

John was born in Millvale, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh to William and Evelyn Claypool. He shared a room with his brothers, Bill and Jim with his youngest brother, Richard coming along just as John graduated high school. As a boy, John was industrious, shoveling sidewalks and helping deliver milk to earn enough money for movies and candy. When he was nine years old, he wanted to travel three hours to Erie, PA, strapped to the top of truck cab so that he could pick cherries for the local “huckster” to earn money. Fortunately, his mother said a firm “no” to that plan.

John’s drive and ambition was balanced by his strong people skills. He loved talking to people, possessed a great sense of humor and had a knack for finding the most effective ways to get things done. After high school, John found a perfect fit for his skill set at the local Bethlehem Steel plant where he became an expeditor. He moved throughout the plant conversing with everyone, learning their roles and problem solving any fabrication issues.

John likely would have continued on this path if it hadn’t been for the Korean War. To avoid the draft, John joined the Air National Guard believing he would remain in the United States. His unit was promptly activated and John was the only unit member to be sent to the war in Korea. John spent the rest of the war servicing fighter plane radios on an airfield in Korea. He was honorably discharged after the war ended.

After the war, John used his VA benefits to attend Penn State, where he met Maryn. After graduating from Penn State, he worked at PennDot (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) focusing on roads and bridges. He and Maryn moved several times over the years, as John’s career advanced. He managed Departments of Public Works in several small cities in Pennsylvania and New York State ensuring clean drinking water, safe roads, and proper waste disposal. A career highlight was when John returned to PennDot as a District Engineer overseeing one of 13 highway districts.

John took pride in his years in public service. He was a natural leader in his professional life, in service organizations and church. He served on local utility boards, was active in various service organizations including the Lions, and sat on the council of the church he and Maryn attended. He inspired his employees, friends, and family to dream big and to help them achieve their goals. Whether assessing the logistics of returning to college, fostering collaboration among contentious employees by leading a sing along during a meeting, or encouraging his children to balance studies with leisure, John empowered others to surpass their perceived limitations and to enjoy the journey.

After his retirement, John and Maryn became snowbirds, alternating first between Syracuse and Florida, then the Chautauqua Lake region in Western New York State, and Houston, Texas where both of his daughters had settled. John loved spending time with his wife and his children and their families. He cherished memorable trips including attending the Rose Bowl with John Jr, to watch Penn State compete, touring England with Linda and traveling in an RV with his brother, Jim. In his later years, John took up boxing, loved watching Penn State play football on TV, and ate his fill of doughnuts and ice cream.

Throughout his life, John inspired his family, friends, colleagues and employees to dream big and achieve those dreams. Above all, he loved his family. John’s children are not only family but also close friends. He is now on his next great adventure, reunited with his beloved Maryn in the wild blue yonder.

Visitation for John will be held Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 11 AM at Brookside Cypress Creek, 9149 Hwy 6 N., Houston, Texas, 77095 with a Funeral following at 12 PM. Interment with military honors will occur Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 2 PM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, Texas 77095.